Sassy Wanda Sykes At Waterbury Palace Theater On Wednesday

Wanda Sykes On Life, Motherhood And What's Ahead

Wanda Sykes performs at The Palace Theater in Waterbury on Wednesday. (Handout )

November 01, 2010|By Java: MaryEllen Fillo

Wanda Sykes is sassy, irreverent, opinionated, outspoken and outrageous, a combination that has boosted her into stardom as an Emmy Award-winning writer, comedian and actress. Ranked among Entertainment Weekly's 25 funniest people in America, Sykes, a performer and writer for HBO's critically acclaimed " Chris Rock Show," and the wise-cracking friend, Barb, on the TV series "The New Adventures of Old Christine," Sykes brings her stand-up show to the Palace Theater in Waterbury on Wednesday. But before heading to Connecticut, where the mother of 17-month-old twins will also visit family, Sykes Spilled the Beans with Java.

Q: What is the secret to your comedy?

A: I don't know. Ninety percent is grounded in reality and that has always been the jumping point for me. Life is funny.

Q: Why go back on the road, away from your twins and your wife?

A: I need to get out of the house! Stand-up is where it all started for me, and when I am not doing it, I miss it. It is still the most challenging part of my career. Alex and the twins, Olivia and Lucas, don't travel with me. Alex doesn't understand the routine — we land, go to the hotel, grab something to eat and wait until I go do the show — that it's work to me. She wants to go out and sightsee.

Q: What is the best part and the hardest part of being a mom?

A: The best thing is just the kids. You set all your priorities around them. Everything is about them. And it is so rewarding. They look at your with those big eyes, so full of hope. I think mine are still trying to figure me out. I haven't found the worst part yet.

Q: Will you and Alex have any more children?

A: I don't know yet. But I told her I was not changing diapers after 50. And I'm 46 now.

Q: You can be pretty outspoken when it comes to politics. Would you ever run for office?

A: No. Once you are in office you find out how things really work and that would be a disappointment to me. I like staying on the outside and throwing rocks.

Q: Any regrets in your life?

A: You mean like if I could have a do-over? I feel like everything that happened to me has got me here and that's the way it should be.

Q: What is the moment you are proudest of?

A: The birth of the kids and probably the White House Correspondents' dinner and performing for the president.

Q: What frustrates you most?

A: My own fears. Fear controls a lot of people.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: Something where I could wear comfortable shoes.

Q: Is there anything you would never joke about?

A: Child molestation, rape, abuse. I am not mean-spirited and would not want to joke about anything that causes pain.

Q: Have you been to Connecticut before?

A: I played Hartford years ago. And don't tell anyone, but I have cousins in Waterbury.

Q: Your dad was in the military and you are an outspoken lesbian. What does your dad think of "don't ask, don't tell?"

A: I am not sure of his current views, but I remember years back he thought it was ridiculous. There have been gays in the military forever. His whole thing was that it seemed to be more about the government providing benefits and housing for same-sex couples. It had nothing to do with whether they were good soldiers.

Q: I have heard your name batted about as a possible for " Dancing With the Stars." Would you do it?

A: I don't know if I would be any good. Right now I couldn't, but I can't say I would never do it. I am a quick study.

Q: What is something no one knows about you?

A: I love to bowl.

Q: Now that "Old Christine" is canceled, what is next for Wanda Sykes?

A: I am taking on the part of Mrs. Hannigan in "Annie" at the Media Theater in Pennsylvania. I never tried theater before. We open the week before Thanksgiving. I think theater is the closest thing to stand-up.

>>For tickets to Wednesday's show at 7:30 p.m., go to palacetheaterct.org.